India v Australia: tourists sweat on Michael Clarke fitness with Shane Watson in line to take over captaincy

Shane Watson will have to wait another day before learning if he will captain
Australia in the fourth and final Test against India in Delhi with skipper
Michael Clarke to be given until the "last minute" to prove his
fitness.

About turn: Shane Watson in line to take over Australia captaincy if Michael Clarke fails to be fit for final TestPhoto: REUTERS

Clarke aggravated an ongoing back condition in the third Test, was forced to bat down the order in Australia's second innings and was noticeably in discomfort while running between the wickets.

If Clarke is ruled out, vice-captain Watson would almost certainly be handed the captaincy just 11 days after being suspended for a disciplinary breach and flying back to Australia to be by his pregnant wife's side.

But less than 24 hours before the Delhi Test starts, Clarke insists he has not yet ruled himself out.

"I've got a little bit of time left before I need to make that decision (on whether he will play or not)," Clarke said.

"That will be, I guess, guided by the expertise of Alex Kountouris our physio and our team doctor as well, Peter Brukner.

"My fingers are still crossed, I'm still hopeful, my back is still a little bit sore at this stage but I've got 24 hours before I need to worry too much about it.

"I'm fortunate that the selectors at this stage will give me to the last minute as well.

"(I will undergo) plenty of treatment today, get down to training and see how I go after training."

Clarke said Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja would be considered for selection after all received one-match suspensions for failing to deliver a presentation on team performance.

"It is nice to have the whole squad available for selection again," Clarke said.

"The four guys are all looking for an opportunity to get back into this Test series and get selected in this Test."

The Australia captain said the team would get a huge confidence boost ahead of the highly-anticipated Ashes series in July if they were able to win the final Test.

"No doubt, that is our goal (to win)," he said.

"I think if we can take a result out of this Test match, that'll do our confidence the world of good knowing that I think we've improved over the three Test matches.

"I know we've learned a lot but to get a win here would be very satisfying, that's for sure."

India will be aiming for a 4-0 clean sweep which would serve as the first whitewash Australia has suffered in a series of three or more Tests since 1982.

Meanwhile, Australia paceman Mitchell Starc is confident he will be fully fit for this summer's Ashes in England after undergoing ankle surgery today.

Starc flew home from the tour of India following the third Test defeat in Mohali after deciding to push forward an operation on his problematic ankle, but expects to be fit for the start of the Ashes in July.

"I had to come home now to get it (surgery) done ASAP, and, from the timeline that we've spoken about, as long as there's no complications, then there's no reason why I wouldn't be 100 per cent for the Ashes," he said.

The New South Welshman even flagged a potential return via the ICC Champions Trophy in June, but said it was a matter of everything going smoothly.

"I guess it all depends on how the surgery goes, as long as there's no infection and no complications and I heal very well, I'm still a chance at the Champions Trophy," he said.